Today, House Speaker favorite Arthur Lira speaks to The Brazilian Report. Private sector companies decide to pull out of controversial vaccine deal. New Manaus mayor could face arrest for handling of health collapse.
Exclusive: The Brazilian Report speaks to House Speaker frontrunner
On Monday, Brazilian lawmakers will elect a new House Speaker and Senate President. While anything can happen until all ballots are counted, the race in the lower house is shaping up to be less competitive than it seemed. Backed by President Jair Bolsonaro, Congressman Arthur Lira has pulled away as favorite against Baleia Rossi — who was handpicked by incumbent Speaker Rodrigo Maia to succeed him.
- The president’s engagement with Mr. Lira’s candidacy is proving to be decisive. In an explicit display of horse-trading, Mr. Bolsonaro has reportedly promised to hand out budgetary grants and executive appointment to his allies, in order to help Mr. Lira cross the finish line.
Why it matters. Besides his agenda-setting powers, the Speaker is the only person in the country who can accept impeachment requests against a sitting president. On Wednesday, Mr. Lira answered ten questions submitted by The Brazilian Report’s Brasília correspondent Débora Álvares: